Welcome to Texas justice: You might beat the rap, but you won't beat the ride.

Monday, January 22, 2007

Countdown to Sine Die

I love that the Legislative Budget Board actually has a countdown timer with a running clock down to the second until the Texas legislative session ends. I'm not sure what kind of message that sends (besides an honest one): It's 127 days out, not one bill has passed, and we're already counting the seconds until y'all leave!

In any event, welcome back to Austin, Texas legislators! You've got an important job to do, and only one chance every two years to do it, so focus on what's best for Texas and try to play nice!

1 comment:

Anonymous
said...

Closed File Policies Should End Among Texas Prosecutors!

A subcommittee of the Texas House Committee On Criminal Jurisprudence explained that "(d)iscovery in a criminal case is the procedure by which a party to the case obtains facts and other information about the case from the other party in order to assist in preparation for trial". (C. J. Cmte, Interim Rpt, p 23 - 10/30/06). Undoubtedly many of us have thought at one time or another that an alleged criminal does not even deserve a trial, not to mention helpful discovery. Hopefully the series of highly publicized stories about wrongfully convicted people in America leave us all at least a bit more inclined to err on the side of caution.

In primarily placing the burden of discovery on prosecutors under the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, "there has not been uniformity in how jurisdictions have been making records available". (C. J. Cmte, Interim Rpt, p 24 - 10/30/06). Some criminal defendants and defense lawyers tell tales of "trial by ambush" or the stress of making "blind plea agreements" in Texas. About half of the state's prosecutors enforce "closed file" policies nonetheless, often suggesting there are no other effective ways to protect victims and witnesses.

Southeastern Christian Association, Inc. (SECA) is a national human rights organization headquartered in Houston, Texas. It joins those who believe that concealing evidence should not be an official strategy for obtaining criminal convictions in America. To amplify the sinisterness of closed file policies, SECA through its state division West Texas Beat, asked both the Committee On Criminal Jurisprudence and Committee On Juvenile Justice and Family Issues of the Texas House to consider "the devastating effects a prosecutor's closed file policy can have on children" in the context of two (2) cases out of Abilene,Texas.

It is very important that we get an astronomical amount of people to participate in a rally that will take place in Abilene, Texas.We will march from the Federal Courthouse to the State Courthouse.

Monday February 5, 2007(time to be announced)Abilene, Texas

Those who want to speak at the rally should contact Dr. Le Roy Gillam immediately: 832.228.3207

On Line Advocacy Starts Today!

Reinforce SECA's requests for investigation with a flood of supportive phone calls, emails, and faxes.Let the Texas Legislature know your views on the closed file policies of state prosecutors.With your help, Texas will see an end to closed file policies among its prosecutors.With your help, two Texas teenagers may receive justice at long last.

Southern, daily and good for you

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